Apple's (AAPL) FQ1 sales could get a bump from Wal-Mart (WMT), which has begun selling the 16GB iPhone 5 at a subsidized $127 at thousands of U.S. stores. The retail giant is also selling the 16GB 3rd-gen iPad for $399 (a $30 iTunes card is thrown in), and the 16GB iPhone 4S for $47. The size of the price cuts, good for the next 4 weeks, are eye-opening in light of Apple's history of limiting retailer discounts. They come as multiple analysts (I, II, III) strike a cautious tone on iPhone sales thanks to supply chain data. [View news story]

Not only is it a win for Walmart it is a win for Apple allowing it to increase market share and saturation. Then do not forget the carriers who will also benefit by the new contracts, and increased data usage.